DECHAMPS, ADOLPHE (1807-1875), Belgian statesman, born on June 17, 1807, at Melle; in 1842 became governor of Luxembourg, in 1843 minister of public works, during his office working for the opening up of railways, and in 1845 minister of foreign affairs. His intimate knowledge of contemporary politics is exhibited in his La Second Empire (1859) ; L'Empire et L'Angleterre (186o) ; La France et L'Allemagne (1865) and Le Prince de Bismarck et l'entrevue des trois empereurs (1873). He died on July 19, See E. de Moreau, A. Dechamps (Brussels, 191I).